Health Disparities in Pediatric Sleep

Abstract

This article reviews disparities in pediatric sleep health and sleep disorders from early childhood through adolescence (birth to age 18 years). Sleep health is a multidimensional construct including sleep duration, consolidation, and other domains, whereas sleep disorders reflect both behaviorally (eg, insomnia) and medically based (eg, sleep disordered breathing) sleep diagnoses. Using a socioecological framework, we review multilevel (ie, child, family, school, health-care system, neighborhood, and sociocultural) factors linked to sleep health disparities. Mechanistic research and studies using an intersectional lens to understand overlapping marginalized identities are needed to inform multilevel interventions to promote sleep health equity in pediatrics.

Keywords: Adolescence; Disparities; Early childhood; Health equity; Middle childhood; Pediatrics; Sleep.